Following murder in court, lawyers strike in Jharkhand demanding adequate security

Jharkhand Bar Association will observe a state-wide strike on 2 December to express solidarity with its local unit here, who have observed a pen down strike today demanding adequate security to lawyers as well as for the court premises following the killing of a JMM leader on 30 November in a court in Jamshedpur.

Bar Association of Jamshedpur observed the strike after its members escaped indiscriminate firing that took place on the second floor of the Bar Association building on 30 November afternoon.

JMM leader Upendra Singh, who had unsuccessfully contested the last Assembly elections from Jamshedpur West seat, was killed in the firing by a group of assailants.

President of Bar Association of Jamshedpur, Ratim N Das said the functioning of the court here was badly affected due to the strike.

The Bar Association earlier decided to observe the strike for indefinite period until their demand was met.

The members held a meeting with Deputy Commissioner Amit Kumar, Senior Superintendent of Police Anoop T Mathew and Sub-Divisional Officer (Dalbhum) Suraj Kumar in this regard.

Mr Das said the district administration has agreed to meet their demands including installation of CCTV cameras and metal detectors in the Bar Association Building and intensified checking of visitors including Lawyers, if found in suspicious state.

"We are satisfied with the assurance given by the administration but will not resume work tomorrow in view of the state-wide pen down strike call given by the state unit," he said.

The slain JMM leader, who was accused in the murder case of his business partner and on bail, was shot dead when he was consulting with his lawyers.

Two of the assailants were overpowered and beaten up by lawyers before they were handed over to police.

-PTI